Kansas State University

MANHATTAN -- Researchers at Kansas State University pulled more than $151.3 million into the state through funding on research encompassing all areas of faculty strength -- plant and animal health, cybersecurity, cancer and more -- setting a funding record.

Between July 1, 2012, and June 30, 2013, the university submitted more than 1,300 proposals. They resulted in 880 awards, totaling $151,343,529. That included almost $106 million in federal grants, nearly $8.3 million from industry and $8.8 million of private funding.

"We can't become a Top 50 public research university by 2025 without a growing and robust research base," said Kirk Schulz, Kansas State University president. "To have set a record and surpassed our previous high of $147.6 million shows that K-State is committed to making progress on the K-State 2025 goals."

In one year the university increased its research funding by almost $14 million. In fiscal year 2012, the university received 910 awards totaling a little more than $137.4 million.

"Research is inseparable from Kansas State University -- it's in our land-grant mission," said Ron Trewyn, vice president for research. “The research we do benefits Kansans, people around the world and most important, our students. Many of our undergraduate students are working alongside faculty, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and technicians on these projects, and this record amount of funding will benefit them directly."

In the last year, some of the largest grants have helped Kansas State University work to improve breast cancer survival rates and develop tests to detect cancer at its beginning stages; develop agricultural crops to withstand environmental stress; and support students pursuing careers in cybersecurity and information assurance.